By Ottawa TFC
Ottawa rolled out the red carpet for the Reds as the leadership team of the Toronto FC Major League Soccer franchise came to town to officially launch its newest regional satellite club on Feb. 25 at the University of Ottawa’s Lees Dome.
Hundreds of local players, parents, staff, volunteers and spectators welcomed TFC (and Toronto Argonauts) President Bill Manning, TFC General Manager Ali Curtis, and TFC Academy Director Anthony Capotosto, for the formal kickoff of Ottawa TFC (the new name of the recently-amalgamated Cumberland and Capital United soccer clubs).
“We are very excited to establish this partnership with Ottawa TFC,” said Capotosto, who conducted coach education seminars and scouted players over several days in town. “It represents an opportunity to engage the soccer community in Ottawa and work with like-minded people who are interested in moving the game forward.
“We will work in collaboration with Ottawa TFC to provide the best possible experience for players, parents and coaches through an ongoing exchange of information and education to benefit everyone involved.”
Together, the organizations will work closely to build a model professional player pathway and soccer development partnership. TFC will help enhance all of the Ottawa club’s technical programming, including coaching development, sports science, methodology, curriculum development, while providing players a direct path to TFC and its Academy.
“Our club is very excited at the opportunity to collaborate with Toronto FC,” said Ottawa TFC President Terry Vida. “Soccer development has no boundaries and Toronto FC’s coaching expertise will be a welcome addition to the player and coach development programs we currently provide.
“Ottawa TFC has undergone significant change over the last year, with the amalgamation of Cumberland United and Capital United Soccer Clubs. This opportunity with Toronto FC will not only improve soccer for our club, but it will have a positive impact on soccer in Ottawa, which is very exciting.”
City Councillors Matthew Luloff and Stephen Blais were also on hand at the announcement, and the partnership garnered support from Ottawa Fury FC, the local USL Championship pro club.
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“The more soccer that happens in our region the better,” said Mark Goudie, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group President and CEO.
“We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with our friends at TFC to help grow youth soccer together in Ottawa/Gatineau, and we are excited for Cumberland-Capital United and their kids.”
TFC player Aidan Daniels, currently
on loan to the Fury for 2019, provided a real-life example of what many of the
young Ottawa TFC players are aspiring to at the event. Before signing with the
first team, Daniels came up through TFC Academy.
During March Break, the first group of Ottawa players visited the TFC Academy
grounds for training, which will become a regular occurrence multiple times
each year for local players and coaches.
“The excitement’s been building step-by-step,” highlighted Ottawa TFC
General Manager Pavel Cancura. “I think our members are starting to
realize that this is something a bit bigger than the club they’ve known. It’s
really raising aspirations.”
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